connectivity devices

connectivity devices

1. Network Card (NIC)

   • used to connect a computer to a network using a cable
   • connecting a desktop PC to a network uses an Ethernet cable

2. Wireless Network Card

   • used to connect a computer to a network using Wi-Fi/radio waves
   • tablet computers don't normally have a socket for a cable connection so tablets use wireless NICs
     • wireless network cards are also present in smartphones

3. Router

   • directs network traffic to the correct computer or device and connects different networks together and to the internet
   • used to connect a business network to the internet

4. Switch

   • allow many computers or devices to connect into a network
   • used in large networks to connect devices and to direct network traffic so the network runs efficiently

5. Modem

   • used to convert analogue signals to and from digital signals for connection to the internet
   • they connect laptops or other computers to the internet using ordinary telephone lines
     • called a dial-up connection

6. wireless Access Point WAP

   • used to connect devices to a network using wireless connections/Wi-Fi
   • allows laptops or other computing devices like printers to use Wi-Fi to connect into an existing network